Thanksgiving & Santa Claus

We had a nice Thanksgiving celebration on Thursday and have had a very busy weekend. Riley and Ryan weren't very enthusiastic about the meal we cooked for Thanksgiving. I figured they would love each and every bite, but they really didn't like any of it except the pumpkin bread. Oh well - they missed out on a great meal! After our lunch / early dinner we headed to Lawrenceville for the lighting of the tree. The weather couldn't have been more perfect and it truly was an enjoyable evening. Riley and Ryan loved people watching and seeing Santa arrive! After the lighting, Gramma sang with her choir and we heard the first of many Christmas carols for this season! They went back and spent Thursday and Friday nights with Gramma and Grandaddy. I think they all had a great time as did Kevin and I. We went out to dinner with friends to celebrate my 34th birthday. It was nice to have a free day (I only had to work a half day) and evening and then to sleep in on Saturday! I told Gramma and Grandaddy that was the best birthday gift they could give me. We were very excited to see them on Saturday and then we went to visit Santa Claus! I really thought Ryan would just scream the whole time, but they both did great. No real smiles, but at least no tears. They both looked so cute and much bigger than this time last year. The babies are growing up! We had another day of hanging around the house today. Kevin has been fighting a cold and I took the opportunity to get the house decorated for Christmas. It was a cold rainy weekend, so it was a perfect time to get it all out. I'm glad it's behind and me we can officially say "it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas"!

Web Albums added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20081127Thanksgiving2008#
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20081129Santa2008#

First Steps

Well the day has finally come that we can say that Riley took her first steps!!! Kevin and I were both looking at her and she took one step then did her typical dive onto Kevin's belly. She was SO PROUD of herself as were all of us. We cheered and clapped and cheered and clapped and cheered and clapped (you get the picture). She did it several times and right before bed she took 2 steps. Today is a good day. We have happy healthy babies...and one that just took her first steps! :)

We had a nice weekend. We went to Avery's 1st birthday party and Riley and Ryan behaved perfectly. They sat at the kids table and ate lunch while we sat in the booth next to them. They sat their and at their lunch like big kids. That night we went to the lighting of the Christmas tree at Atlantic station and they got to see Santa! The lighting was at 8pm. We made it until 7:45 and then couldn't stand it any longer. It was very cold and way past their bedtime, so we headed home. We'll see the tree all lit up another time. I promise! :)

We have all been fighting colds, so we declared Sunday "PJ day"! Riley and I stayed in our PJ's all day long, but Kevin and Ryan actually put on clothes to go grocery shopping. I think it was just what we needed. We all woke up feeling much better today. Grandma came over to visit with us and she helped bathe the kiddos and put them to bed and Kevin was able to go watch the Falcons game. It was a nice break for all of us.

PS - we found 2 more bottom teeth (1 each) this weekend, so that brings each of their teeth count to 8!

Web Albums added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20081122AveryS1stBirthday#
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20081122ChristmasTreeLightingAtlanticStation#

Winter Days

The cold weather has arrived and we are now bundling them like snowmen when we leave the house. It's funny to see them with their hats on! I snapped a few photos of them before we headed to church on Sunday. Loved seeing them in their church clothes. We also found that each of them has a new tooth on the bottom, so this makes a total of 7 teeth each! I took them to the doctor today since Ryan has been battling some stomach issues over the last couple of weeks and has lots of congestion and Riley has a rash, but both are "a-ok". No infections or anything that can be "treated". Just lots of rest.... :) They also got the 2nd part of their flu shot so we are done with shots for now. They were troopers, but both cried like they were dying. It was hard to manage that part alone - really missed Daddy on this visit! I gave them each teddy grahams and the tears quickly dried up. Thank goodness I had a spare bag in my purse!

Web Albums Added: http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20081116WinterDays#

Climber / Talker

I would have to label this weekend "climbing" and "talking". Let me explain... Riley was playing in the play room on Saturday morning and I looked up and she was standing on the seat of the car (picture to the left) with her hands raised in the air clapping. She was so very proud of herself I just had to grab the camera. By the time I snapped this photo, she was on her way down, but you get the idea. When I first saw her my heart sank since she was balancing hands free on something with wheels, but she was so proud I couldn't ruin her moment. She's pretty good on her feet. She has continued to climb all over the place this weekend. She and Ryan were both very very active at Play2Grow on Saturday. They climbed all over everything and proved that they are ready to move up to the next class next week. They will graduate from Baby Spa into the big kids room! Gramma came to see them at their last class and then joined us for the cd release party for the "Baby Grands". Our friends have produced a children's music cd and it's really good music. You should check it out for yourself: http://www.myspace.com/thebabygrands

Now for the "talking" part of this post. Ryan has developed a very distinct language and has had full conversations with us talking in this language. He has very distinct words and inflection in his voice and speaks with great passion. We just wish we knew what he was saying! He was upset with me yesterday when I was changing his diaper and I know for sure he was telling me off. I guess it's those times I'm happy I can't understand him! It's very cute to watch and listen to him talk to us. It makes me really look forward to the day they each can talk with us. I know... one day I will wish I hadn't said that since they will be talking non stop, but for now I truly wonder what goes through those precious little heads and what they are thinking!

We receive the CD with all of their 12 month photos this week (not just the ones on the slideshow), so here's the link to them: http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/2008101212MonthPhotos# We are thrilled with how they turned out. Thanks Jen! http://www.jenwunderlichphotography.com/

Web Album Added: http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20081108Play2Grow#

Happy Halloween!

Halloween 2008 has come and gone! Riley and Ryan had a lot of fun celebrating the big day and wore their costumes a total of 4 times over the last few weeks. I think that is great since I was expecting them to have them on for about an hour. I guess you could say we got our moneys worth. (esp since I bought them from someone in the multiples club at a deep discount!) They wore their shirts from Aunt Heather and socks and headband from Gramma to school and looked so cute! Riley was not digging the headband so I kept trying to get her to keep it on. Once Ryan saw how much attention she was getting, he went and took the headband. I put in on him and he LOVED it! I guess it's ok for now... Daddy wasn't so excited about seeing his son with a headband on, but like I said, I guess it's ok for now. We went over to the Fenzls for a dinner before heading out to trick or treat. There were grand plans of letting the kids decorate quesadillas like pumpkins, but once everyone arrived (14 adults and 11 children), it quickly turned into survival mode. Can you say chaos? It was totally crazy for about 30 minutes, but once we headed out it was fine. Everyone got lots of candy and Riley and Ryan loved riding in their wagon and playing with each other and Zack (the only one that was younger than them). They stayed up until about 830 before losing it and going straight to bed, but the best part is that they slept until 8 this morning! After Play2Grow we came home and all 3 of us slept for about 3 hours this afternoon. I guess I was really tired too! Overall a great time was had by all!

Web Albums Added:
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20081031Halloween#
http://picasaweb.google.com/hutchinson.heidi/20081101Play2Grow#